New friend

I have a new friend that I would like to tell you about. A few weeks ago while at work I could overhear a boy being fairly loud and I could tell from the sounds of it that maybe he had autism because he reminded me of Hunter. Once I saw him I recognized him from shopping in the store before. He came up to me and held out his hand and said" tickle, tickle my hand". So, I tickled his hand. Then he said "what's your name"? I said "Deanna". He said "what's your middle name"? I said "Marie". He said "spell it,spell it slowly", so as I begin to spell it he said "whisper it quietly". So, here I am on the sales floor spelling my name to a teenager while whispering. He had on headphones like Hunter wears. I instantly felt connected to this kid. He said " when is your birthday? " I said "July 20th" He said " That is on a Monday." He said a few other things and then he ran away.

The next Wednesday evening he was back in the store again and as soon as he saw me he came  running over and whipped off his coat and said" tickle my back, tickle my back and say tickle, tickle tickle in a high pitch voice." So I did.  A guest shopping was looking at me weird but I didn't care because this kid is so cool. He asked me my name, my middle name and ran away. His parent or guardian must be somewhere in the store shopping but I have yet to see him or her.

Today, he was in with his school. He was wearing his coat with layers of silver tape over the zipper. I'm sure this helps to stop him taking off his coat. I picture him as an escape artist. Lol. He came over to me and said "Deanna, shake my hand, shake my hand with two hands." I did. His teacher or aide yells his name and tells him to be appropriate and that he is supposed to be shopping for groceries. I signaled  to the guy that he was ok. He ran away and went with his teacher. I felt bad because I felt he was in trouble for shaking my hand. His teacher had no idea that we interacted before. I did find out his name from his teacher yelling it. Maurice is his name. If I ran into his teacher I was going to explain that he has talked to me before and he is no bother. I didn't see his teacher again today but I'm sure I will again soon. Before he left he saw me and said "say gruffy and cutie" and then took off quickly. Until next time Maurice.... and BTW my birthday this year is on a Monday.